AC Milan came close to winning the league title last season but were pipped to the title by reigning champions Inter Milan who won the accolade for the first time in 12-years.
But having won two league games for the season, Nesta is optimistic Milan are among the favourites to become Italian champions.
“Milan are challengers for the Scudetto,” he told Corriere della Seria. “Maybe they don’t start as favourites, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, on the contrary.
“The truth is that there are many teams who can win this year. One thing is certain: they are on the right path.”
Nesta started his career at Lazio in 1985, at the age of ten. By the age of 15, he was included in Italian Under-15 and Under-16 squads
In 1993 he was a member of the Lazio first team, breaking into the Italian Under-21 setup in 1996.
Nesta was a member of the team that defeated Spain in the final of the European Championship.
The 45-year-old spent 10 years as a player at Milan – moving from Lazio in August 2002 – and played 326 competitive games with the Rossoneri.
Nesta won two Scudetti, two Champions League and one Coppa Italia during his time at San Siro and the former Frosinone coach believes Milan are ready to fight for another title in the top flight.